Adelaide City Councils may say thanks but no thanks to ownership of Riverbank footbridge

With large overheads and 'lifecycle costings' attached to the ownership of the new Riverbank footbridge, Adelaide City Council may be very hesitant to receive the gift of the new footbridge from the South Australian government.

With yearly operational costs estimated from between $350,000 to $500,000, ownership of the new footbridge comes with substantial costs.

After initially suggesting they would like to control the ownership of the bridge, and voting in October 2012 to accept ownership of the bridge, a report being tabled at tonight's Adelaide City Council meeting may change that wish.

Monthly cleaning costs alone would total over $10,000 per month, Adelaide City Council general manager of City Planning and Design, David Chick, told 891 Breakfast.

General operational costs would add expenses of $82,000 per year.

Mr Chick said total running and maintenance costs could reach up to $500,000 per year for city rate payers to fund.

Currently the ownership of the bridge is held by the State Government, with authorisation for the location to be used provided by the Adelaide City Council.

Adelaide city councillor David Plumridge said the Council would be having second thoughts about accepting the asset after seeing the expenses tabled.

"We've got some quite clear figures in costings there for us to consider; they weren't so clear perhaps in October 2012 when we asked to take over the bridge."

Mr Plumbridge said he still believed it would be the Council's responsibility to take ownership of the footbridge.

He said the $500,000 in annual upkeep fees would need to be sourced from general revenue.

"As far as we are concerned, it is a very important part of the issue of public transport access to the oval."

Fees may also be raised by leasing sections of the bridge and waterfalls for public events including weddings.

"We supported the bridge right from the beginning, now we need to maximise its use."

Adelaide city councillors would vote on accepting the ownership of the Riverbank footbridge, as a gift from the South Australian Government, at tonight's council meeting.